smith



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. P A SMITH TAILORS MEASURE.

Patented sept. 29, 1891.

ilIlll/l Ill u HEHE WITNESS/5S:

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. P A SMITH TAILORS MEASURE.

Patented Sept. 29, 1891.

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nvt/Enron v Muro/m515 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PRUDENOE A. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TAILORS MEASURE.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 460,282, dated September 29, 1891. Application filed January 14, 1891. Serial No. 377,688. (No model.)

To all whom it may con/cern,.-

Be it known that I, PRUDENCE A. SMITH, a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Dress-Form, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in a dress-form; and it consists in a peculiar system of adjustable graduated tapes of either cloth or strap-steel, which can be applied to the human form and by which a detail Ineasurement of the form is obtained.

The object of my invention is to construct a device by which every curve of the human form may be accurately measured, and, if desired, transferred to and set up in a comparatively rigid form, upon which form the dress may be fitted. In this case the Ineasurements should be taken by a system of graduated tapes, from which they are recorded or transferred to a like system of graduated steel bands, upon which the dress can then be fitted.

My invention is shown iu the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure l is a detail front view of the neckband and its tapes. Fig. 2 is a side view of an arm-band and its tapes. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the junction of the tapes near the shoulder. Fig. 4 is a front perspective View of my system of tapes as applied to the human form. Fig. 5 is a detail View of the tapes, showing the graduations; and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on the line c c, Fig. 5.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

A is aneckband, from which are suspended anumber of graduated tapes B B, that extend down in front and in the rear, and shouldertapes C C, which may be shorter than the others.

D are arm-bands, from each of which a strap E is suspended, carrying graduated tapes F.

The graduated tapes B C F are all supplied with suitable button-holes and fastenings at any desired interval, so that they may be adjustable one to another. One form of fastening G is shown in detail in Fig. 6. This fastening extends through perforations H, Fig. 5, and is retained in place by lugs on the ends of twospring-shauks. Another form of fastening may be what is called a spring-button, such as is commonly used on mens gloves.

To any specic form of fastening I do not desire to limit myself.

The measurements are ascertained in the following manner: The neckband A is first. placed around the neck and fastened. The arm-bands D are next adjusted so that the strap E will hang directly under the arm, and the tapes C are then fastened to the arm-bands D. The tapes F are then brought up around the body in the front and rear and buttoned or fastened to the straps B, all substantially as shown in Fig. 4:. The perforations or fastenings are so numerous at everyT crossing that .the straps may be fastened one to another and interlaced into a perfect net-work, substantially as shown, so as to give perfect adjustment. Vhen the form is finally fitted, the length of each tape and position of crossings may be transferred to a book as a record for future reference, or directly to a steel-band dummy which is an exact reproduction of the cloth system of tapes, and which, in fact, may be directly used on the human figure accortiing to this invention. By this means the eX- act outline and curves of the body may be obtained and set up in a steel form, to which the dress may be fashioned, therebyinsuring perfect fitting to the body. It may be desired to introduce eXtra tapes, as shown by J, for connecting the arm-bands, and also tapes K, Fig. 4t, for connecting the straps O and J. This can readily be done Without affecting the remainder of the system. By the extension of some of the straps Fover the shoulder, (shown in Fig. 45,) the fit of the shoulder of the sleeve is readily ascertained.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure `by Letters Patent, is-n The combination, in a dress-form, of the neckband A and the graduated tapes B and O attached thereto, with the arm-bands D, carrying the straps E, that have the graduated tapes F, all adapted to be placed on the human form, so that the tapes C will connect the bands A and D and the tapes B and F be interlaced, substantially as herein shown and described.

PRUDENCE A. SMITH.

IVitnesses:

HARRY M. TURK, R. C. MITCHELL. 

